Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance mull boycott option amidst statehood demands

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) convened a joint meeting here tonight to deliberate on strategies to escalate their agitation in support of their demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Among the options discussed was the potential boycott of the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

The meeting, which lasted for several hours, saw representatives from both LAB and KDA exploring various avenues to amplify their demands. While no final decision has been reached yet, there are indications that further consultations with stakeholders will precede any decisive action.

The lone Lok Sabha seat in the Union Territory of Ladakh is slated to go to polls in the fifth phase on May 20. Historically won by the BJP in the 2014 and 2019 elections when Ladakh was part of the undivided State of Jammu and Kashmir, the upcoming election has sparked discussions within the region’s political circles.

During the meeting, LAB and KDA leaders deliberated on a range of measures to intensify their agitation, seeking Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Insights from the gathering suggest that a decision is imminent, although no official statement has been released yet.

As the dialogue continues and deliberations unfold, anticipation mounts over the potential course of action to be undertaken by LAB and KDA in pursuit of their demands. The outcome of their discussions holds implications for the political landscape of Ladakh and the trajectory of its statehood aspirations.